Monday, October 20, 2014

pooling my projects

When I showed the house to Michael on Saturday evening, he labeled it a "mini-convention center." I prefer "boutique hotel." But I immediately understood his point.

When my brother Darrel was here on one of his visits, he suggested we should buy an old Mexican hotel and use it as a family compound. I think I did him one better. A new Mexican hotel.

Yesterday after church, I met up with the new "staff." Lupe will be the pool guy. Several people I know have used his services -- and they are uniformly pleased.

Jaime has worked -- and still does -- as an electrician and handyman for my landlady. I had a special project for him. To install a propane tank where the cylinders once were. He can do it. Today I will meet Lou at the hardware store, and buy a tank, stand, regulator, and some line. Jaime will then set it up.

The majority of the day was spent with Dora and her sister cleaning the house. When we started, it looked like a house that had not been occupied for a bit. When we were done, it was, as the realtors say, turn-key ready.

Well, turn-key ready if you overlook the lack of linens. But I will fix that with a trip to Sam's Club -- probably on Tuesday. Monday is dedicated to the tank project, getting the electricity put in my name, and re-keying the locks (or, at least, getting that step scheduled).

I now have a target day for moving. Everything has to be in place by this Saturday when my brother (and perhaps a surprise cast member) shows up at the Manzanillo airport.

But, best of all, I finally did what I have been waiting to do for six years in Melaque. I slipped into a pool of cooling water.

The pool in the courtyard is truly the womb of the house. For about an hour, I enjoyed its embrace.

The photograph at the top of this post is a "point of view" shot. You may soon see more variations on that theme.